Flax Seed Oil during Pregnancy?

[channelofpeace]

I have a friend who just found out she is pregnant. She has been taking flax seed oil for her acne (and is very happy to have had good results with it!) and wasn't sure if she could continue taking it during pregnancy.

I thought it would be okay, but just wanted to check the wealth of knowledge here

[lirpasirhc]

my midwife encouraged my to take flaxseed oil and fish oil. you need lots of omega 3s for healthy neurological development. flaxseed has one type and fish oil has the other 2 types of omega 3s. flaxseed oil is more completely absorbed if you buy the cold pressed oil (not capsules, flakes, etc) in the refrigerator section of the health food store. it's even better absorbed if you mix it 2T with 1/4 cup cottage cheese (Trader Joe's brand tastes good) or 1/2 cup yogurt. the sulfur-based protein is the key.

[milky_mama]

I'm not a birth professional but I've been taking flax seed oil throughout my pregnancy.

As for the fish oil - what are you taking? I took cod liver oil before pregnancy but since pregnant I was concerned about the large volume of vitamin A.

[MsBlack]

Flax seed oil is one of the few and best sources of Omega 3s--should be ok.

[mwherbs]

essential fatty acids are just that we need to eat them because our body doesn't make them-- it would be fine to continue to take it--

[Peppamint]

I took flax seed oil during most of my third pregnancy and I noticed that my pubic symphysis and sciatic pain increased when I forgot to take my FSO. I think it's great stuff, and would also recommend a good fish oil during the summer and a good cod liver oil during the winter.

[WeasleyMum]

Flax seed oil is great for pregnancy b/c of the nutrient value (one of the only sources of alpha-lineolic acid or ALA-- an omega-3, which are so important for developing brain of the fetus), although I've heard that ground flaxseed is even better as you're getting the whole seed-- fiber, oil, and everything, kind of like wheatgerm. Of course if she's taking it for non-nutritive reasons that probably doesn't matter.

[ZoeyZoo]

I am taking flax seed oil too. I buy a special bottle that also contains Borage oil. That way you get Omega 3, 6 and 9. Personally, I don't feel comfortable taking fish oil so that's what I do. Any health food store sells the flax/borage combination and it's only a few dollars more.

[channelofpeace]

Just curious as to why no fish oil? It was recommended to me to take it during my last pregnancy.

[Peppamint]

I'm not sure Mara's reasons... but I felt I should clarify that I'd recommend a good brand that is tested for heavy metals. I personally use Garden of Life CLO and I used Mommy's Bliss fish oil for a bit. I hear good things about Carlson's and Nordic Naturals as well and those brands can all be purchased at VitaCost.com cheaper.

[channelofpeace]

Ahhh, i used Nordic Naturals as that was what was recommended to me... heavy metals, that makes since.

[WeasleyMum]

Originally Posted by busybusymomma

I'm not sure Mara's reasons... but I felt I should clarify that I'd recommend a good brand that is tested for heavy metals. I personally use Garden of Life CLO and I used Mommy's Bliss fish oil for a bit. I hear good things about Carlson's and Nordic Naturals as well and those brands can all be purchased at VitaCost.com cheaper.

Oh I'm all about the fish oil-- I'm taking Nordic Naturals, tested out for heavy metals and contamanants etc and doesn't taste fishy. It's just that I'd rather eat ground flaxseed (over yogurt, oatmeal, in smoothies or whatever) than take the flax-seed oil b/c it has more of the flax goodness in it-- you get the oil, of course, but also the bran when it's all ground up. Either way, flax is good for pregnancy and fish oil is too.

[ZoeyZoo]

Originally Posted by milkydoula

Just curious as to why no fish oil? It was recommended to me to take it during my last pregnancy.

I don't take fish oil for two reasons:
First the metal content (mercury) varies from brand to brand.

Second I prefer a vegitarian source if possible. Getting the combination
flax/borage oil gives me the same vitamins (omega 3-6-9) as fish oil without having to resort to an animal source.

I prefer the oils over the pills because I mix them in with smoothies and other drinks I make each day and I don't taste it at all. Sometimes with pills I feel like they get stuck in my throat (even though they don't) so I tend to be lazy with pill taking.

[Peppamint]

Originally Posted by WeasleyMum

Oh I'm all about the fish oil-- I'm taking Nordic Naturals, tested out for heavy metals and contamanants etc and doesn't taste fishy. It's just that I'd rather eat ground flaxseed (over yogurt, oatmeal, in smoothies or whatever) than take the flax-seed oil b/c it has more of the flax goodness in it-- you get the oil, of course, but also the bran when it's all ground up. Either way, flax is good for pregnancy and fish oil is too.

Sorry about that... I was reading ZoeyZoo's post but attached your name with it when I responded earlier. Oops!

[Galatea]

Fish oils are a blood thinner and thus are not recommended in 3rd trimester.

[mwherbs]

as for fish oil and blood thinning- depends on if mom is eating adequate vitamin K foods and if she has any clotting factor problems-- continuing an amount that she is already taking is usually fine- large mega doses may be another thing but an average amount that a mom might get if she were eating fish daily is not usually a problem

[zoebird]

hemp seed oil also gives a nice 3-6-9 ratio, though veg moms might also consider adding a DHA supplement.

You can get a flax-DHA mix, and you can get a mix that's a 3-6-9 with DHA (algae derrived in both, btw) called Udo's perfect DHA blend, but it contained evening primrose oil which is fine for most folks, but for moms with certain fertility signs, it might to be great.

fish oils, of course, are balanced in every way; but, like a pp, i simply prefer a vegetarian source UNLESS i feel strongly that i should take something else.

right now (just barely pregnant), i feel no inclination to take anything special. Though, if you'd looked at my cart today, you'd think i ate nothing but oils and fats. LOL I bought olive oil, coconut oil, flax seed oil, hemp seed oil, and walnut oil (for cookies). I also had three big bricks of raw, organic butter. LOL!

so much fatty goodness.

[Gunter]

i take a veg*n option and have been the whole pregnancy. it's super important for the babe's brain development, right?

[frontierpsych]

I'm vegan, so I don't use the fish oil. I use ground flax instead. It's easy to use. I just blend it in smoothies, mashed potatoes... anything mushy! It doesn't really have a taste, and it has a pretty fine texture, so I prefer it to other forms of DHA suppliments.

[familybirth]

Flaxseed and flaxseed oil are both associated with excessive bleeding at delivery and should be avoided in pregnancy, especially by women with history of postpartum hemorrhage. This is based on some older studies (see Mayo Clinic for example) but I have seen it first hand as a midwife.

Midwife2moms